Sugarbeet germplasm lines selected from crosses between wild Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima from France, Belgium, and Denmark and cultivated sugarbeet

Authors: Campbell, Larry; Fugate, Karen

Submitted to: Journal of Sugar Beet Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2018
Publication Date: 7/10/2018
Citation: Campbell, L.G., Fugate, K.K. 2018. Sugarbeet germplasm lines selected from crosses between wild Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima from France, Belgium, and Denmark and cultivated sugarbeet. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 55 (3-4):3-20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5274

Interpretive Summary: The introduction of genetic diversity into sugarbeet breeding populations will enhance long-term breeding progress. Beta vulgaris subspecies maritima, a wild relative of sugarbeet, is a source for increasing the genetic diversity within cultivated sugarbeet. Beta vulgaris subspecies maritima is distributed over a large geographic area and therefore exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions and disease organisms. This report describes the development of eleven sugarbeet germplasm lines that were selected from crosses between a sugarbeet breeding line developed by USDA-ARS in California and eleven Beta vulgaris subspecies maritima accessions that were originally collected along the Atlantic Coast of France, Belgium, and Denmark. The sucrose concentration of the eleven germplasm lines is slightly lower than the sucrose concentration of an adapted hybrid. However, several lines have unique genes for disease resistance and productivity that are not available in cultivated sugarbeet. These lines are available to private sugarbeet breeders and will facilitate the introduction of genetic diversity into elite breeding populations and eventually the commercial crop.

Technical Abstract: The genetic basis of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) is very narrow. Moreover, it is recognized that introgression of genetic diversity into elite populations enhances long-term breeding progress. Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, a wild relative of sugarbeet, is a source for increasing the genetic diversity within cultivated sugarbeet. Being closely related to sugarbeet, fertility problems among hybrid progeny are rare. B. v. subsp. maritima is distributed over a large geographic area and therefore exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions and disease organisms. This report describes eleven sugarbeet germplasm lines; F1044, F1045, F1046, F1047, F1048, F1049, F1050, F1051, F1052, F1053, and F1054; that were selected from crosses between a sugarbeet breeding line and eleven B. v. subsp. maritima accessions originating from France, Belgium, and Denmark. The sucrose concentration of the eleven germplasm lines ranged from 123 g kg-1 to 143 g kg-1 compared to 153 g kg-1 for an adapted hybrid. The 3-year average recoverable sucrose concentration of the lines was 85% of the recoverable sucrose concentration of the adapted hybrid. It is assumed that F1044 – F1054 will be used to introduce genetic diversity into elite breeding populations that have or are segregating for many of the traits desired for commercial production.